BRATISLAVA, June 7, (WEBNOVINY) — European Union and NATO integration of Montenegro, development of the situation in the Western Balkans and development of bilateral relations dominated talks of Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak with the highest representatives of Montenegro during his official visit to the country on Thursday.
In the morning, Lajcak met with Montenegro’s President Filip Vujanovic, Speaker of Parliament Ranko Krivokapic, Prime Minister Igor Luksic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Dusko Markovic. The Montenegrin representatives expressed appreciation over the role Slovakia’s diplomacy played in 2006 in the process of resuming the country’s statehood. At that time, Lajcak served as special envoy for Montenegro of the EU High Representative for common foreign and security policy Javier Solana. The representatives of Montenegro underscored that they consider Slovakia their example and want to continue developing privileged relations with Bratislava and are interested in Slovakia’s support on the road to the EU and NATO.
At the meetings, Lajcak appreciated the progress Montenegro has achieved in fulfilling the key priorities within its EU aspirations. “We support the opening of accession talks with Montenegro already this month,” the Slovak foreign minister said.
Later that day, Minister Lajcak and Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen signed an agreement on development aid between the governments of Slovakia and Montenegro. Both ministers confirmed their interest in strengthening bilateral relations in all areas, to which the agreement signed after bilateral talks should help. “This agreement will enable to more efficiently provide bilateral assistance to Montenegro in a number of areas necessary for future development. We would also be glad if our excellent bilateral relations extended into the area of economic cooperation, twinning projects and drawing of EU funds”, Minister Lajcak said. The ministers also discussed the development of the situation in Montenegro, as well as in the whole western Balkans.
SITA